Jayhawks stomp ISU

KU prevails before 457 fans

Even Tweety Bird and Elmo stopped by the Horejsi Family Athletics Center Tuesday before trick-or-treating to see Kansas University's women's volleyball team sweep Iowa State, 15-2, 15-6, 15-6.

Fans wearing Halloween costumes were admitted free as the Jayhawks won going away before 457 fans.

"We were efficient tonight," KU coach Ray Bechard said after the Jayhawks improved to 13-10 overall and 4-10 in the Big 12. Iowa State dropped to 2-21, 0-14.

"A lot of times if you don't pay attention, matches like these can get away from you. We knew if we could defend their strength in blocking the ball, we would have a good chance to win."

KU cruised to a 12-0 lead in the first game. In game two, fans were particularly treated with a different lineup compliments of Bechard.

Freshman outside hitter Abbie Jacobson, middle blocker Anna Wheeler and middle blocker Jordan Garrison entered the lineup midway into the game as KU cruised to a 14-4 lead. Garrison won the final Kansas rally with an emphatic kill.

The Jayhawks led, 11-6, in Game Three when Amy Billings entered. Billings, a freshman red-shirt setter who also saw limited playing time in three prior matches, was able to collect one assist.

Nancy Bell scored the final point and finished with 12 kills. Amy Myatt and Danielle Geronymo had eight and seven kills respectively.

"Coming from the bench, you don't want to mess up," Wheeler said. "You have nothing to lose so why not go for it? Your mind is on one mindset, that's, 'Get the ball over the net.'

"We click really well in practice and to get out on the floor and to put the pressure of another team against ours..." Wheeler said. "We all add different things, we're all very athletic and with our different abilities, if we put that all together on the same page, we can get it done."

Kansas will meet Baylor at 2 p.m. Saturday at Horejsi Center.

"Baylor is in a situation where they feel like they're fighting to get in the NCAA tournament and we're holding an outside chance of that ourselves," Bechard said. "Every match has been critical, but this is a huge match."